Toothbrush



Nov. 12, 1940. R. c. SWEATT TOOTHBRUSH Filed Feb. 28, 1939 INVENTOR K0357- c. swsarr. Z (ft/ 6L- ATTORN Y.

Patented Nov. 12, 1940 UNITED STATES TOOTHBRUSH Robert C. Sweatt,Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Application February 28, 1939,Serial No. 258,925

. In Oanada May 25, 1938 1 Claim.

My invention relates to improvements in toothbrushes, the objects ofwhich are to provide a holder with a detachable brushing element whichcan be replaced with a new one or sterilized as desired; to provide adevice of such inherent flexibility that matter can be convenientlyremoved from the interspace between adjacent teeth, and which can bealso effectively employed for massaging the gums without producingirritation or bleeding. A further object is to provide a brushingelement in the form of a sack, which may, if desired, be partiallyfilled with atooth powder prior to use, thus providing a continuoussupply of cleansing material throughout the brushing process.

The invention consists essentially of a handle supporting a flexiblehead which is adapted to be fitted with a sack like brushing element andis provided with means for detachably securing the brushing element inposition upon the head,

as will be more fully described in the following specification and shownin the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. l is a general view of theinvention in preferred form fitted with its brushing elements.

Fig. 2 is a general view of the invention with the brushing elementsremoved.

In the drawing like characters of reference indicate corresponding partsin each figure.

The numeral I indicates a handle made of any suitable material, which ispreferably provided intermediate its length with a knurled portion 2 tofacilitate gripping the brush. Mounted at the extremities of the handleare brush element sup- 5 ports or cores 3 and 4 approximately the lengthof a toothbrush head. The core 3 is straight and the core 4 is suitablycurved as shown, and both are preferably made of rubber. Both coresterminate in a chisel point 5 of suitable propor- 40 tions and arehardened at said points by a greater vulcanization or by fitting theretoa cap or tip 6 of a different material, such as stainless steel. Thecores 3 and 4 are spirally wrapped with wire as at I and at the innerend of each core a groove 8 is formed. Adjacent the groove a pair ofopposed spring clips 9 having gripping 5 tongues l0 are provided, whichtongues are normally pressed into the groove to hold in position abrushing element or sack H. The brushing element is preferably made offabric having a roughened outer surface. 10

As an extra precaution against bacteria accumulation on the cores 3 and4, they may be covered with a sheath, not shown, of rubber, cellulose orother suitable germ proof material, which could be removed and disposedof after 15 using.

It will be obvious that the tip of the core may be varied in shape fromthe chisel point above described to any other desired form.

In use the straight end of the device is used 20 for cleaning theoutside of the teeth and the curved end is used for cleaning the insideof the teeth, the pointed ends are used particularly for cleaning thecrevices between adjacent teeth. After use the clips 9 are squeezedtogether to 25 withdraw the tongues from engaging the neck of thebrushing elements II that they may be withdrawn from the cores andwashed or otherwise disposed of.

What I claim as my invention is: 30 I A toothbrush comprising a handleand a head, said head consisting of a flexible member pointed at itsfree end and adapted to be covered with a sack-like brushing element,said handle having a spring tensioned clip adjacent the head forremovably securing the sack-like brushing element in position, saidflexible member being relatively closely wound with a wire spiralextending from the handle to the base of the pointed end.

ROBERT c. SWEATT.

